James 3: The Power of the Tongue

Sunday May 18, Dennis taught from James 3. Here are his notes.

I. James 3:1-12
__a. Context:
___i. Going from theoretical to the practical
___ii. James 1-2 v. 3-5
__b. Starts with the biggest problem in the church: gossip
II. Definitions (Merriam-Webster):
__a. a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others
__b. rumor or report of an intimate nature
__c. a chatty talk
__d. v: one who tells gossip
III. Opens with a warning:
__a. Not many teachers!
__b. Stricter judgment (cp. Pharisees: Matt. 23)
__c. Why? Our words are the most direct measure of our character
IV. James uses metaphors for the tongue – What is a metaphor?
__a. “Her eyes were blazing like fire”
__b. “Her eyes were burning coals”
__c. Direct comparison (“The tongue is a fire”)
__d. Cp. "simile” – uses ‘like’ or ‘as’
__e. E.g., “Her cheeks were like roses”
V. Three pairs of metaphors:
__a. Power to direct (bridle and rudder)
__b. Power to destroy (fire and wild animals)
__c. Power to delight (fountain and fig tree)

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